The Detroit Free Press reports that
the Auburn Hills City Council is objecting to the Michigan Liquor Control
Commission renewing a nonprofit's liquor license because the
nonprofit, the Mexican Mutual Society, owes more than $35,000 in
water and sewer bills and back taxes.

The council has asked the commission to audit and investigate the
organization's licensing, however, an official with the commission
says the investigation is unlikely to happen because state law prohibits
the commission from denying a nonprofit club's license based on a
municipality's objections. Auburn Hills City Manager Peter Auger said the
request was sent to the commission along with other liquor licensing
recommendations on Tuesday. According to Sharon Martin, deputy director
of licensing for the commission, when the commission receives such requests, it
sends letters to the municipalities informing them that the investigation won't
proceed because the statute doesn't allow it. Martin said the commission
generally intervenes only if a club is not legitimately operating as a
nonprofit or if it breaks state laws, including selling alcohol to nonmembers
or to minors.

According to its web site, the Mexican Mutual Society was founded in
1943 by seven Mexican-American men and "takes pride in promoting the
Hispanic culture." An official at the club declined to comment.